Tilting structure for chairs and the like



March 31, 1942;

F. KOENIGKRAMER ET AL TILTING STRUCTURE FOR CHAIRS AND THE LIKE Filed April 4, 1959 fiedem'c/r Keen/glimmer INVEN'TOR5 ATTO EY Patented Mar. 31, 1942 TILTING STRUCTURE FOR CHAIRS AND THE LIKE Frank Koenigkramer and Frederick Koenigkramer, Cincinnati, Ohio Application April 4, 1939, Serial No. 265,966

. 1 Claims. ((21. 155-25) be operated quickly with a minimum of effort,

from a handy or convenient location near the foot rest .or step of the device, thereby obviating unnecessary waste of time and effort on the part of the operator or physician.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clutch means in .association with a tilting mechanism, which is easily applied and adjusted, and which includes no notches or threads subjected to frequent use and rapid wear such as to require periodic replacement .or servicing.

These and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a chiropody chair or the like embodying the tilting structure of the invention.

Fig. 2 is .a detail view showing in fragmentary perspective the seat portion of a chair frame having a part of the present invention applied thereto.

Fig. .3 is a perspective view of the clutch assembly and operating means therefor, as applied to the chair of Fig. 1.

The accompanying drawing exemplifies one form of chair to which the present invention is adaptable, it being understood, however, that the particular type of chair disclosed is not to be treated as a limitation upon the invention since it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that equipment of a kindred nature may be improved by the application of the invention thereto. The chair of Fig. 1 generally is constituted of a frame having a seat portion 5 for supporting a cushion 6 and, if desired, suitable arm rests I that may be adjustable in various ways. A back rest 8 preferably is associated with the seat portion of the frame, so that it may be lowered to a position of substantial parallellism with the cushion 6. At the forward end of the seat, the frame is extended downwardly as at 9,

to support a step 10 at an elevation such that a patient may stand thereon in mounting and dismounting from the chair. The parts 5, 9, l0 and I4 may be considered the chassis of the chair.

The character l2 indicates a foot rest which is universally adjustable, that is, it may rotate to positions of adjustment about a pivot l3, and the standard [4 which supports it may be elevated, lowered, rotated, or swung about a pivotal point l5 for the purpose of properly supporting the feet or limbs of a patient seated upon the chair. A retractable and extendible rod or rods l6 supported by the step Ill, or by the lower portion of the part 9, allows for varying the distance from the foot rest to the seat cushion. The mechanism utilized for effecting the adjustment mentioned is common knowledge and need not therefore be described in detail.

The .entire chair frame preferably is supported upon a pedestal l1, and if desired, the pedestal may include a hydraulic lift to be actuated by means of a pedal 18 extending from the pedestal. The character 19 may indicate the extensible part of the hydraulic lift, or of any other type of lift, in-chair constructions wherein the incorporation of a lift is considered desirable. A casting 20 or the like, herein referred to as the pedestal head, is fixedly mounted atop the member l9, and may be considered part of the pedestal for supporting the chair. In chairs equipped with a lift, the pedestal head is adapted to be lowered and lifted by manipulating the pedal l8 or its equivalent.

The entire frame of the chair is adapted to be tilted relative to the pedestal head 2!], and for this purpose the pivots 2i are provided at opposite sides of the seat portion. The means employed for tiltably supporting the chair frame is optional, but for the purpose of explanation it may be considered that the pedestal head may be provided with opposed bosses 22 supporting the pivot members 2| which in turn pivot relative to the chair frame at the locations 23 (Fig. 2).

From the foregoing, it should be understood that the operator or physician, who generally would be seated upon a stool or the like to the right of the foot rest l2 while operating upon the foot of a patient, may grasp any forward part of the chair for tilting it about the pivots 2| While the patient is seated upon the chair.

To effect the tilting of the chair in accordance with the present invention, the physician or operator is required merely to manipulate the clutch actuator lever 24 by depressing a foot pedal 25 located conveniently near the forward portion of the step I0, so that the physician or operator need not leave his position in front of the foot rest, or to the right thereof as disclosed in Fig. 1. As illustrated, the clutch actuator lever follows generally the contour of the chair along'the parts 9 and I thereof, so that the lever may be brought forwardly to the convenient position illustrated, without interfering with the patient or the operator in walking about or upon the structure. As shown in Fig. 1, the foot pedal is in the elevated position, in readiness to be depressed for releasing a nor-' mally engaged clutch that holds the chair in adjusted positions. Whenever the foot pedal is in the elevated position as ilustrated, the frame of the chair is locked against tilting, but upon depressing the foot pedal, the clutch is released to permit the physician or operator to tilt the chair to any desired inclination. The operator need not leave his position at the front of the chair in order to tilt the chair to any desired inclination. It should be understood that the operator may desire different inclinations of the chair, depending upon whether he is operating upon the toe or heel of a patient whose foot is resting upon the foot rest l2.

In order that the foot pedal may be normally maintained in the elevated position of Fig. 1, the invention contemplates the use of a clutch spring 26 that surrounds a longitudinally reciprocable rod 21 having its rear end slidably supported by a bracket 28 depending from the pedestal head 20. The rear end of the rod carries an abutment or collar 29 that limits the forward reciprocating movement of the rod. A sec ond abutment or collar 39 may be applied to the rod at the forward end of spring 26, and this abutment or collar preferably is so located upon the rod as to maintain the spring under a desired normal compression force. A stationary abutment 3| on the rod or shaft 21 is contacted by the upper part 32 of the clutch actuator lever, so that upon depressing the foot pedal and moving the clutch actuator lever about its pivot 33, the clutch rod 21 will be moved rearwardly against the resistance of spring 26 for disengaging the clutch in a manner to be explained. The force of the spring is sufiicient always to return the clutch actuator lever to the normal elevated position of Fig. 1.

As is most clearly indicated in Fig. 3, the forward end 34 of shaft or rod 21 is pivoted at 35 to the forked end 35 of a clutch engaging and disengaging lever 31, the function of which is to look a movable group of clutch plates 38 relative to a group of stationary clutch plates 39 when the lever 3'! is disposed at right angles to the planes of said plates. In other words, the lever 31 is adapted to assume a dead-center relationship to the clutch plates, when permitted to remain under the influence of the clutch spring 26 in the elevated position of the actuating lever 24. It should be understood that the arrangement is such that the clutch spring will normally dispose the lever 31 to a position in which the lever pivot 40 and the axis of a roller or clutch plate presser 4| will have their common plane disposed normally at right angles to the clutch plates or the pressure blocks 42 and 43 which embrace them. When the foot pedal is depressed, the roller or presser 4| will sweep or traverse the pressure block 42 and with an arcuate movement tangential to the pressure block, thereby to release the group of movable plates 38 from the binding action of the stationary plates 39. The group of movable plates, of course, is associated with the seat portion of the frame through the medium of a bracket or holder 44, in the manner illustrated by Fig. 3. The plates 38 preferably are pivoted relative to the bracket. With reference to Fig. 2, it should readily be appreciated that tilting of the frame 5 about the pivots 23 will elevate and lower the group of clutch plates 38 through the spaces between the fixed clutch plates 39, provided that the force of the spring 26 is not imposed against the pressure block 42 through the agency of the roller or plate presser 4|. It will then be evident that the chair frame may be tilted as desired when the clutch plates are free, but when they are clamped together the tilt of the chair frame will be definitely established and maintained at any one of an infinite number of positions of inclination of the chair.

Referring to Fig. 3, the group of stationary clutch plates 39 and their cooperating pressure blocks 42 and 43 are housed between the stationary parallel arms 45 and 46 of the pedestal head 20. To support the elements 39, 42 and 43, any suitable means may be provided, for example, the pins or shafts 47 and 48 which span the space between said arms and pass loosely through the blocks 42 and 43 and the series of stationary plates 39. Thus, it will be understood that the movement of the plates and blocks supported by the pins 41 and 48, is limited to a movement along the pins in a horizontal plane. The group of movable plates 38, of course, have no connection with the pins 4'! and 48, but are free to slide vertically between them, assuming that the clutch is disengaged.

The lever 31 pivots at 40 upon a stationary boss or vertically bored extension 50 of. one of the arms 46, and the opposed arms 5| and 52 of said lever provide the bearings or mounting for the roller or other type of clutch plate presser 4|. The pivot 33 for the clutch actuator lever 24 -32 may be furnished in any suitable manner, such as by providing an extension or arm 53 which is fixed to a bracket 54 or other stationary part of the pedestal head. Since the pivot 33 and all of the mechanism constituting the clutch actuator are mounted upon the pedestal head, it will be evident that these elements do not move with the frame of the chair when tilted. The entire assembly, however, will rotate with the chair when the chair is swung in a circle about the pedestal or base Due to the provision of the multiple plate clutch, there will be possible little more than an imperceptible wearing of the clutch and its actuating mechanism, but to compensate for any possible wear, it is considered desirable to furnish a suitable adjustment. For this purpose, a threaded stud or screw 55 may be applied in a threaded bore 56 of the arm 45, with the inner end 51 of the screw abutting the pressure block 43. By rotating the screw 55, the block 43 may be advanced or retracted to determine the pressure with which the roller or plate presser element 4| will impinge against the opposite pressure block 42. The right angular relationship of the clutch lever 31 to the block 42 results in the application of pressure of a high magnitude, even though the clutch spring 26 be only moderately forceful in order to provide for easy manipulation of the foot pedal of the actuator lever 24. When the adjustment is made at 55, it should be gauged to permit lever 31 to assume the perpendicular relationship to the pressure block 42, as

previously mentioned. The adjuster 55 maybe locked against accidental displacement using any known means for the purpose, if desired.

Adjustment of the pedal elevation may be effected, if necessary, by adjusting the setting of the collar or stop 29 along the rod 21. The sprin 26 and themajor portion of rod 2T may be enclosed within a protective tube in order to enhance. :the appearance and to exclude dirt and dust, but this refinement forms no essential part of the present invention. Other modifications, as well as changes in the structural details of the device, may be made within the scope, of the appended claims, without. departing from. the spirit of the invention.

What. is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pedestal having a head part, a frame including. a seat portion, and means on the head part for pivotally Supporting the frame for backward tilting movement, a series of spaced clutch plates depending from the seat. portion at alocation to one side of the pivotv means, a. second series of spaced clutch plates supported by the head .of the. pedestal in position to receive between the spaces thereof the clutch plates of the seat portion, a clutch lever including a plate presser element, means pivoting the clutch lever upon the pedestal head for movement of the lever to clutch plate engaging and disengagin positions of the presser element, said lever pivoting means and said presser element together being in a plane normally substantially perpendicular to the clutch plates when the plates are placed under maximum pressure by the presser element, means tending constantly to maintain the perpendicular relationship specified, and an actuator for temporarily pivoting the clutch lever away from the perpendicular relationship, thereby to cause the presser element. to sweep tangentially and arcuately away from the clutch plates upon movement of the actuator to disengage the clutch plates.

2'. In a, device of the class described, the combination of a pedestal having a head part, a frame including a seat portion, and means on the head part for pivotally supporting the frame for backward tilting movement, a series of spaced clutch plates depending from the seat portion at a location to one side of the pivot means, a

second series of spaced clutch plates supported by the head of the pedestal in position to re.- ceive between the spaces thereof the clutch plates of the seat portion, a clutch lever including a plate presser element, means pivoting the clutch lever upon the pedestal head for movement of the lever to clutch plate engaging and disengaging positions of the presser element, said lever pivoting means and said presser element normally being in a plane normally substantially perpendicular to the clutch plates when the plates are placed under maxim-um pressure by the presser element, means tending constantly to maintain the perpendicular relationship specified, and an actuator for temporarily pivoting the clutch lever away from the perpendicular relationship, thereby to cause the presser element to sweep tangentially and arcuately away from the clutch plates upon movement of the actuator to disengage the clutch plates, and means for varying the pressing force of the plate presser element upon the plates.

3. In a device of the class described, the com bination of a base having a head part, and a frame mounted upon the head part for tilting of the head part, and means for selectively binding the plates together or releasing them, to alter and fix the tilt of the frame .in an infinite number of tilted positions, said means includin a lever pivoted on the head part for movement. to

.a. .dead center position normal to the plate plane for forcefully clamping the. plates together in such dead center position of the lever, thus precluding displacement of the pivoted lever by the tendency of the plates to resist the clamping force applied by the lever when in the normal position stated.

4. In a .device of the class described, the combination of a base having a head part, and a frame mounted upon the head part for tilting movement relative thereto, a group of clutch plates spaced apart. on the. frame and a second group of correspondingly spaced clutch plates on the head part, the plates of one of said groups being interposed alternately between the plates of the other group, means for selectively binding the plates together or releasing them, to alter .and fix. the tilt of the frame in an infinite number of tilted positions, said means including a lever pivoted on the head part for movement toa dead center position normal to the plate planes, for forcefully clamping the plates together in such dead center position of the lever, thus precluding displacement of the pivoted lever by the tendency of the plates to resist the clamping force applied by the lever when in the normal position stated.

5. In a device of the class described, the com-- bination of a pedestal having ahead part,'a frame including a seat, portion, and means. 01 the head part for pivotally supporting the frame for backward tilting movement, a clutch p ate depending from the seat portion at a location to one side of the pivot, means... a second. clutch plate and an abutment therefor supported by the head of the pedestal in position to. receive therebetween the clutch plate of the seat portion, a clutch lever including a plate presser element, means pivoting the clutch lever upon the pedestal head for movement of the lever to clutch plate engaging and disengaging positions of the presser element, said lever pivoting means and said presser element normally being disposed in a common plane which is substantially per-- pendicular to the clutch plate planes only when the clutch plates are frictionally engaged, yielding means tending constantly to maintain the perpendicular relationship specified, and an actuator for temporarily pivoting the clutch lever from said perpendicular relationship for disengagement of the clutchplates to permit tiltinfl of the frame.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pedestal having a head part rotatable in a horizontal plane, a frame including a seat portion and a forwardly directed step,v means on the head part for pivotally supporting the frame for backward tilting movement in various rotated positions of the head part, a. clutch plate depending from the. seat portion at a location to .one side of the pivot means, a second clutch plate' and an abutment therefor supported by the head in position to receive therebetween the clutch plate of the seat portion, a clutch lever including a plate presser element, and means for pivoting said clutch lever upon the pedestal head for movement of the lever to clutch plate engaging and disengaging positions of the presser element, said lever pivot means and said presser element normally being disposed in dead center relationship to the clutch plate planes for holding the presser element securely against the clutch plates to frictionally engage them into locking relationship, and an actuator for the clutch lever, comprising a rod having a free end extended to the operators station at the chair step, and an opposite end pivoted upon the rotatable head for bodily rotation with the head independently of tilting movements of the chair frame.

'7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pedestal having a head part rotatable in a horizontal plane, a frame including a seat portion and a forwardly directed step, means on the head part for pivotally supporting the frame for backward tilting movement in various rotated positions of the head part, a clutch plate depending from the seat portion at a location to one side of the pivot means, a second clutch plate and an abutment therefor supported by,

the head in position to receive therebetween the clutch plate of the seat portion, a clutch lever including a plate presser element, and means for pivoting said clutch lever upon the pedestal head for movement of the lever to clutch plate engaging and disengaging positions of the presser element, said lever pivot means and said presser element normally being disposed in dead center relationship to the clutch plate planes for holding the presser element securely against the clutch plates to frictionally engage them into locking relationship, and an actuator for the clutch lever, comprising a rod having a free end extended to the operators station at the chair step, and an opposite end pivoted upon the rotatable head for bodily rotation with the head independently of tilting movements of the chair frame, and means for selectively varying the normal position of the free end of the actuator rod in respect to its elevation relative to the chair step.

8. A chiropody chair or the like, comprising in combination a stationary base, a chair frame, and means including a rotatable head on the base supporting the chair frame for rotation bodily relative to the base and for tilting movement in a vertical plane, said frame including a seat portion, an extension depending from the seat portion, a forwardly directed step on the lower end of the extension, and a foot rest mount located forwardly of the step, a clutch associated with the frame and the head for holding said frame and head in different relative positions of tilt, and a clutch actuator lever including means to operate the clutch, said lever having opposite ends, one being a free end normally accessible and located in the region of the foot rest mount, and the other end thereof being supported by the rotatable head for bodily movement rotationally with the head, independently of tilting movements of the chair frame.

9. A chiropody chair or the like, comprising in combination a stationary base, a chair frame, and means including a rotatable head on the base supporting the chair frame for rotation bodliy relative to the base and for tilting movement in a vertical plane, said frame including a seat portion, an extension depending from the seat portion, a forwardly directed step on the lower end of the extension, and a foot rest mount located forwardly of the step, a clutch associated with the frame and the head for holding said frame and head in different relative positions of tilt, and a clutch actuator lever including means to operate the clutch, said lever having opposite ends, one being a free end normally accessible and located in the region of the foot mount, and the other end thereof being supported by the rotatable head for bodily movement rotationally with the head, independently of tilting movements of the chair frame, and means for selectively varying the normal position of the free end of the actuator lever with respect to its elevation relative to the foot rest mount.

10. A chiropody chair or the like, comprising in combination a chassis including a seat portion, a step, and foot rest; supporting means for the chassis including a base and a pedestal head mounted upon the base for rotational movement in a horizontal plane, and means pivoting the chassis upon the pedestal head for tilting movement of the chassis, a clutch associated with the chassis and the head and adapted normally to engage for locking the chassis against movement about its pivots on the pedestal head, and a clutch actuator including a forwardly extended lever pivotally mounted upon the pedestal head so to be independent of tilting movements of the chassis, and a pedal on the forward end of the lever located at all times at a fixed distance from a plane of vertical movement of the chair step upon tilting of the chassis, said pedal being thereby normally available for depression at a definite elevation, and at a fixed distance from said plane of vertical movement of the step irrespective of any tilted condition of the chassis, for disengaging the clutch and permitting altering the tilt angle of the chair chassis.

11. A chair of the character described, comprising in combination a chassis including a seat portion, a step, and a foot rest; supporting means for the chassis including a base and a pedestal head mounted upon the base for rotational movement in a horizontal plane, means for elevating and lowering the pedestal head relative to the base, and means pivoting the chassis upon the pedestal for tilting movement of the chassis, a clutch associated with the chassis and the head and adapted normally to engage for locking the chassis against movement about its pivot means on the pedestal head, and a clutch actuator including a forwardly extended lever pivotally mounted upon the pedestal head so as to be independent of tilting movements of the chassis, and a pedal on the forward end of the lever located at all times at a fixed distance from a plane of vertical movement of the chair step incident to tilting of the chassis, said pedal being thereby normally available for depression at a definite distance from the pedestal head, and at a fixed distance from said plane of vertical movement of the step irrespective of any tilted condition of the chassis, for disengaging the clutch and permitting altering the tilt angle of the chair chassis.

FRANK KOENIGKRAMER. FREDERICK KOENIGKRAMER. 

